Families First panel warns of GOP health bill impacts

Thursday

Mar 16, 2017 at 5:48 PMMar 16, 2017 at 5:48 PM

Karen Dandurant news@seacoastonline.com @kdandurant

PORTSMOUTH — U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan joined a panel discussion Thursday on negative impacts of House Republicans’ proposed health care bill, especially on New Hampshire residents with health care coverage for the first time under the Affordable Care Act.

President Donald Trump and Republicans vowed to repeal the ACA, promising to replace it with something better that would offer health care access to every American.

Hassan said she is committed to seeing the House bill defeated. She said the bill would eliminate Medicaid expansion and funding for family, behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services. She said providers say Medicaid expansion is their greatest tool as it provided reimbursement for treatments so they could expand options for needed services.

“When I was governor, we passed Medicaid expansion as a truly bipartisan effort,” Hassan said. “The New Hampshire Health Care program created has helped Granite Staters with substance abuse and behavioral health needs. Pulling the rug out from under these programs is unconscionable because the opioid crisis is critical for us to address.”

Taft said Medicaid expansion was a game changer for Families First, adding many of its patients live below the poverty level and some are homeless.

“In 2013, we had 49 percent of our patients uninsured, and we treat on a sliding scale,” Taft said. “It was a real struggle. Now in 2016, only 21 percent are uninsured. We have a more stable bottom line and can offer more. We are in the process of opening a satellite center in Seabrook. Exeter Hospital gave some help in our getting started. That may now be in jeopardy.”

“There are 10 specific mandates for the Medicaid program and one is funding for substance abuse programs,” said Keunning, who advocates for community medical centers in New Hampshire and Vermont. “Under the new bill, states will receive a capped amount based on the number of patients and must make decisions on how to disperse the funds. By September of this year, 70 percent of the funding to places like Families First will go away.”

Fifield said Medicaid expansion made it possible for many Families First patients to receive treatment for substance abuse. “Addiction is a big ship that takes time to turn around,” he said. “Our patients tell us they are using against their will, every day. We need to keep being able to help.”

Hassan said the GOP bill would increase health insurance costs by 15 to 20 percent, and more for seniors. Seniors 64 and older, she said, would pay five times what a younger person would.

Speaking for AARP, Fahey said people recognize the ACA needs tweaking, but he hoped that would happen in a non-partisan way. “Instead this bill shifts the costs and burden to our older citizens,” he said. “Most do not have savings and will not be able to afford health care.”

The lack of preventative care led to more costly and devastating conditions such as late-stage cancers, heart disease and substance abuse, Samuel said. “With the Medicaid expansion things are changing and people are getting the early care, tests and panels to help keep them healthier,” he said.

Hassan also said the bill would defund Planned Parenthood with no capacity to replicate its services. “This is unacceptable," she said.

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